“A developer is a person who fixes a problem that you don't know you have, in a way that you don't understand.” Notwithstanding that tongue-in-cheek remark, Software Developers are the creative minds that use computer programs to create various web or mobile applications for mass marketing. Continue Reading
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Explore Career “A developer is a person who fixes a problem that you don't know you have, in a way that you don't understand.” Notwithstanding that tongue-in-cheek remark, Software Developers are the creative minds that use computer programs to create various web or mobile applications for mass marketing.
What are the typical responsibilities of a Software Developer?
A Software Developer would typically need to:
Travel within a working day, absence from home overnight, and overseas travel are occasionally required. Software Developers work in office environments on computers. Some work remotely. They have regular meetings with clients to understand their requirements and inform them of the progress. Casual or business-casual dress code is the norm unless otherwise specified.
Working hours are typically 9 a.m. to 5 p.m, but working long hours, evenings, and weekends to meet project deadlines is standard practice. Career breaks and part-time work are possible, and some IT employers offer flexible working hours.
Jobs for Software Developers are concentrated in major towns and cities. IT companies themselves have large IT departments to manage their systems and also run IT systems for other companies on a consultancy basis. Self-employment through contracting is possible with experience.
Software Developers are generally employed by:
The benefits of joining a professional body include access to information, discounts, networking, and prestige.
Relevant work experience in the form of a placement year as part of your degree, or part-time work within the IT field is desirable. Software Developers can intern in an organization where they work in real-time under seasoned professionals.
Getting involved in projects at university or with local businesses or charities to develop programs and code would give them practical experience and an edge over other prospective employees. Developing applications in your spare time is a good way to learn the intricacies of the software.
Some first work as computer programmers, and as they gain experience, they take on more responsibilities to eventually become Developers. Significant experience in development methodologies, like Waterfall and Agile would prove advantageous.
A bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, information systems, and mathematics, highlighting building software or programming languages, is preferred. Some employers may prefer a master’s degree.
Technical knowledge and an IT conversion course to showcase technical ability is essential to enter this field if you do not have a related degree. Software Developers also need skills related to the industry in which they work; for example, Software Developers working in a bank should know about finance.
Most Software Developers specialize in a specific development field, such as mobile phone applications, accounting software, office suites, and graphics software. The prerequisites to build a career in each of these areas vary slightly.
Software Developers need Proficiency in C / C++ certifications, Chef certifications, Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP) certification, Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MSCD) certification, and Puppet Professional Certification (PCP) to remain on the fast track for career advancement.
Forward-looking Software Developers generally begin their career as programmers while simultaneously working in systems analysis or systems design. They can very quickly move to application development or be promoted to a Senior Applications Developer, depending on their knowledge and skills.
As a Software Developer, you can be a Specialistand develop your expertise within a particular type of application or have an in-depth knowledge of one language. You may move into project management and take on responsibility for supervising teams of programmers and the overall design and specification of a project.
A third option is to become self-employed through contracting. Contractors typically act as System Developers, discussing needs with users, analyzing requirements, writing, and implementing the resulting programs.
Job prospects will be best for applicants with knowledge of the most up-to-date programming tools and languages.
A Software Developer must constantly update themselves on IT trends by taking courses sponsored by employers or through software vendors. Employers look for vendor certification as a way of demonstrating competence. Product vendors and software firms offer certification recognizing the relevant skills and knowledge you possess.
Some larger employers offer structured management trainee programs where a Software Developer gains experience in team-related projects in different work areas. Most companies offer training, either in-house or via external courses. Because many desktop programs are now either universal or web-related apps, Software Developers may want to consider adding web and mobile application development credentials to their portfolios. A few advanced positions in Software Development require a master's degree.
Software Developers work on teams with others who contribute to designing, developing, and programming successful software. A high level of commitment is expected due to the costs of projects and regular tight deadlines, particularly in small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Freelancing vs. Full-Time Employment
Being a freelancer offers freedom in regards to flexible schedules, working hours and location. They have full ownership of the business and can afford selectivity in terms of the variety of projects and clients presented. While it has unlimited earning potential, it also has less stability and security, with inconsistent work and cash flow. There is more responsibility, effort, and risk involved. Paid holidays and sick/maternity/paternity leaves become unaffordable. There is the added pressure of a self-employment tax and no eligibility for unemployment benefits.
A full-time employee, however, has access to company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. They are susceptible to potential boredom and inability to pursue passion projects due to their lack of time or effort. There is a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety, and need to budget extra money for commuting and attire costs.
When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, make sure to weigh the pros and cons of what works best.
Learning to be and working as an applications Software Developer entails a few valuable life lessons: commit to learning and practicing your trade; follow a pre-existing structure in learning to track progress easily; transform theoretical knowledge into practical knowledge as a way of learning; get out of your comfort zone and take an educated risk to advance your career; invest in people and organizations that may invest in you in the future; things will not always pan out the way you assumed they will but persist because there will always be a way to get things done!
You can mass-produce hardware; you cannot mass-produce software - you cannot mass-produce the human mind. Measuring programming progress by lines of code is like measuring aircraft building progress by weight.
Perl is one of the most popular software languages and is known as the “Swiss Army Knife” of programming languages because of its multi-use feature.
What do Software Developers do?
A Software Developer would typically need to:
